Pictures of Herstmonceux Castle

a Garden or Park in the town of Herstmonceux, in the county of East Sussex

About Herstmonceux Castle

The 15th century red brick Herstmonceux Castle with its magnificent gatehouse, was built in the romantic era when splendour and luxurious interiors where thought to be as important as military strength.

Reflected serenely in its moated waters, Herstmonceux is every inch proud testimony to England's rich historical past. It was originally built as a country home of the mid 15th century and has all the fairytale trappings of that fabled era. The building, with its arched entrance bridge spanning the moat, towers, bays and turrets, entwines together a scintillating display of Medieval English and romantic Renaissance style.

Herstmonceux is renowned for its perfectly restored Elizabethan gardens and parkland. These are a feast for everyone's eye's with sheer enchantment awaiting at every turn, be it the lily covered lakes, walled garden, or any one of the delightful woodland trails that allow for a peep of nature at her very best. A beautiful Butterfly Garden is planted with sweet scented flowers, attractive to these lovely delicate flying creatures, and there is a stunning Rose garden heady with the perfume of glorious old established blooms. Added to the glory is a lovely walk through beautiful Rhododendrons and a fragrant Herb Garden. There is statutory and old garden steps adorned with urns spilling over with superb varieties of flowers.

The castle has a long history, Roman remains have been found at the site and it is thought a property may have stood here long before Herstmonceux was built. The name Herstmonceux would appear to come from the 12th century when a Saxon lady wedded a Norman nobleman named Ingelram de Monceux. Eventually the name of the owners changed through marriage to Fiennes, a powerful house distinguished by James Fiennes who fought for Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt.

Sir Roger Fiennes, elder brother of James, began building the castle in 1441. However, because of dwindling fortunes, by the 1700's the last Lord Dacre, Earl Of Sussex was forced to sell the castle to Robert Hare who began to dismantle it for building materials for Herstmonceux Place further up the hill. The building disintegrated further and at the turn of the 20th century was almost ruinous when it was purchased by Lt.Col.Claude Lowther in 1911. Claude Lowther was largely responsible for the fact that Herstmonceux Castle remains as we see it today - the foremost English brick building to come out of the 15th century.

Between the castle's inception and coming into the ownership of Sir Paul Latham in 1929, who sold it to the Admiralty in 1946, lies a fascinating history, well worth discovering for yourself on a visit. It is now an International Study Centre attracting students from all parts of the globe. The gardens and grounds are open to the public and subject to availability visitors may take part in a guided tour of the castle, when you can delight in the wonderful architecture of the place, its history, legends and ghosts!

There is a castle gift shop and a tea-room for delicious refreshments. For those unable to join in a guided tour there is a visitor centre with artefacts and photographs from the castle, as well as information sheets.

Add attraction to favourites

Submit a history of Herstmonceux Castle

Recommended attractions near Herstmonceux Castle

	The Pevensey Levels (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SW) .. Information \| Pictures (1) \| Hotels
	Pevensey Castle (3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction S) When it was first built Pevensey Castle must have been an impressive sight standing against all-comers while the waters of the..... Information \| Pictures (38) \| Hotels
	Michelham Priory & Gardens (5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction W) Michelham Priory is a hauntingly beautiful place set against a backdrop of fine Sussex countryside, splendidly surrounded by a..... Information \| Pictures (4) \| Hotels
	Battle Abbey (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction NE) The Abbey Ruins - The pope ordered William the Conqueror to build an abbey in penance for the great loss of life. The abbey was..... Information \| Pictures (51) \| Hotels
	The Long Man (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SW) Where he comes from nobody knows, nor does anyone know the identity of this 240 foot figure of a man carved into the side of a..... Information \| Pictures (8) \| Hotels

All attractions in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns & villages near Herstmonceux Castle

	Herstmonceux (1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction NW) .. Information \| Pictures (21) \| Hotels
	Bexhill (6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction E) The old town of Bexhill-on-Sea is of immense charm, it has wide streets, gracious building including black and white timber frame properties, but its real "star" is the fabled De..... Information \| Pictures (23) \| Hotels
	Battle (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NE) Battle is a unique town in the county of Sussex built on the very site where William the Conqueror defeated king Harold of England and his Saxon army in 'The Battle of Hastings' in 1066... Information \| Pictures (50) \| Hotels
	Eastbourne (7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction S) Eastbourne, is a genteel town, that owes it's distictiveness to the 7th Duke of Devonshire... Information \| Pictures (258) \| Hotels
	Burwash (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction N) It is from his home in this very English village that Rudyard Kipling penned the wise and wonderful words of his poem 'If'... Information \| Pictures (25) \| Hotels

All towns in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Pevensey Bay Station	(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction S)
Normans Bay Station	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)
M23 Junction 10A	(26.5 miles, 42.6 km, direction NW)
Lydd Airport	(27.0 miles, 43.4 km, direction E)
M23 Junction 10	(27.7 miles, 44.5 km, direction NW)
London Gatwick Airport	(29.7 miles, 47.8 km, direction NW)
Herstmonceux Castle to London	(48.4 miles, 77.9 km, direction NW)

Hotels near Herstmonceux Castle

	The Horseshoe Inn Posey Green, Windmill Hill,, Herstmonceux, West Sussex, East Sussex, England (0.8 miles, 1.3 km) This hotel rests in the picturesque town of Windmill Hill, overlooking the famous Herstmonceux Castle and Observatory and the Pevensey Levels. Here, you will find bed and breakfast accommodation, a... More info and book online.. Price from £50.00
	The Corn Exchange 19 High Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, East Sussex, England (3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction W) The vibrant Corn Exchange is more than a bed and breakfast, offering a café, bar/restaurant, traditional real ale bar, a nightclub and function room. Breakfast, lunch, lights snacks, a la carte di... More info and book online.. Price from £70.00
	The Bay Hotel 2-4 Eastbourne Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, East Sussex, England (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S) Established in 1890, this traditional inn is popular with holidaymakers who seek to enjoy the range of beautiful beaches found on this stretch of the Sussex coastline. The Bay Hotel offers comforta... More info and book online.. Price from £40.00
	The Cooden Beach Hotel Cooden Beach, Cooden Sea Rd, Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex, England (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction SE) A privately owned hotel located on the beach in the peaceful village of Bexhill-on-Sea. The hotel boasts sweeping views of the ocean and across Pevensey Bay. The hotel is stunningly located in two a... More info and book online.. Price from £65.00
	Boship Farm Hotel Lower Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, England (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction W) Situated along the a22, the hotel is set in 17 acres of beautiful grounds and retains a pleasant country atmosphere. Extensive car parking and a helipad are in the grounds together with an all-weather... More info and book online.. Price from £80.00